Syed Muhammad Yaseen
Islamabad: In a landmark development, the Senate Standing Committee on Health has decided to restore the HEC reserved seats for students belonging to Ex-FATA and Balochistan, addressing long-standing concerns over educational access and representation.
Senator Jan Buledi, a member of the Senate Health Committee, confirmed the decision and emphasized its importance for promoting regional inclusion in medical and dental education. He stated that the number of HEC reserved seats has been restored to 333, reversing a controversial reduction earlier this year that had brought the number down to just 194 seats. “Restoring these seats is crucial for empowering youth from marginalized areas who have historically faced systemic educational disadvantages,” Buledi said during the session.
However, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has yet to implement the committee’s decision, raising concerns among students and stakeholders. Despite the Senate Committee’s directive, the lack of a formal notification from PMDC continues to cause confusion and anxiety, especially with the new MBBS and BDS admission cycle approaching.
Senator Buledi further urged the PMDC to act swiftly, stating, “This delay is unacceptable. PMDC must align with the Senate’s decision to ensure justice and equal opportunity for students from Ex-FATA and Balochistan.”
The restoration is expected to reallocate the reserved seats across various public sector medical and dental colleges under the Higher Education Commission (HEC) quota system. This move is being celebrated as a vital push for inclusive education, particularly for students from conflict-affected and underdeveloped regions.
The author is MBBS student and founder of Students Nexus by SMY.
